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Olympics 2021-Organizers announce schedule for rearranged Tokyo Games
TOKYO/BERN, Switzerland–The Tokyo Olympics next year will use the same venues and follow an almost identical competition schedule as the one originally planned for this year before the event was postponed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, organizers said on Friday. However, organizers told an IOC session held by video conference that it was too early to give details on coronavirus prevention measures during the Games or on whether events would be in full or partly-full stadiums, or behind closed doors.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Japanese government decided in March to postpone the Games until 2021 and organizers have been working to rearrange an event almost a decade in the making. The Olympics had been set to begin on July 24 this year.
"Today, we are able to report that we have confirmed both the competition schedule and the use of all venues originally planned for this year, including the venue for the athletes village and the main press center," said Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto.
The new schedule means women's softball will get competition underway at 9 a.m. in Fukushima on July 21, two days before the Games officially open, with all events taking place a day earlier than the 2020 schedule.
There have also been some minor changes to session times. The Games are set to be the biggest ever in terms of events, with a record 339 medals available before the closing ceremony on Aug. 8, although organizers say they will be simplified. Muto said all of the 42 venues have been secured, overcoming one of the biggest hurdles for organizers as many had already been booked for 2021.
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13556296